What are some famous last words that people say at the end of their life?

We are sad to say that this Friday will be our last text to you.

It's been a complete honor serving veterans, military, and their families.

We hope this has been a source of inspiration and optimism for you.

My dear friends, I'm so grateful that you are here with us today. You and I are beings and creatures of evolution, and we must grow, expand, and increase our understanding, in part because when we understand better, I believe that our ability to engage in life and with others in a joyful way is greatly improved. In addition, our ability to be compassionate and patient with ourselves and others is also greatly enhanced.

Throughout my professional career, and really throughout my life, I've been the beneficiary of the wisdom, experience, and kindness of others, so this week I wanted to look throughout history, and find some famous last words that were spoken by individuals that may be of value to you and I, and then, perhaps, I could leave you with my own words... although they are certainly not famous, but they will be some thoughts that have passed through my mind all year, and perhaps some of my hopes and wishes for you.

There is a tradition in Hindu and Buddhist cultures of an expectation of a meaningful farewell statement; Zen monks by long custom are expected to compose a poem on the spot and recite it with their last breath... I promise, I don't expect such things from you, but I am hoping to guide you through a small assignment... a small experiment that is all about what your own final words could be?

But before I invite you into our small laboratory, and run this fun and thoughtful experiment, let me invigorate your mind, with some famous last words:

• Jennifer Daugherty, a mentally handicapped woman who was tortured to death, wrote this note to her mother: "Mom, I hope you have a good day at work and I love you very much. Love, Jennifer."
• Bob Marley said, "money can't buy love"
• Margaret Sanger's last words were, "A party! Let's have a party."
• Steve Jobs said, as he looked upon his family, "Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow."
• Robin Williams final words were, "Goodnight my love."
• Leonard Nimoy (Spok) said, "A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory."
• Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor and philosopher said, "Go to the rising sun, for I am setting. Think more of death than of me."
• Jesus's last words when looking upon those who mocked him and were crucifying Him "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do," and finally spoke at the very end, " It is finished!"
• Siddartha Buddha's last words: "All compounded things are subject to vanish. Strive with earnestness."
• Isaac Newton's last words were, "I don't know what I may seem to the world. But as to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore and diverting myself now and then in finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than the ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me."

Our words matter. What we say, how we say it matters a great deal. Every conversation sets the stage for the next one. So use your words and your tone wisely.

Our final words matter, in part because they force us to look through our own history, and perhaps condense the learnings, experiences, adventures and misadventures into some sensical statement that communicates what is valuable... what is of worth... what our regrets taught us... how our mistakes educate and refine us... and even realize that the things that we perhaps considered the most important, or that we invested so much of our time and focus, those things when placed within an existential perspective simply lose their magic and pull.

I have found that this small exercise has been most interesting, and I now urge you as your friend to do it with me. This is not meant to be a deathbed exercise, or to evoke morbid ideas and thoughts... in fact the opposite is the exact purpose... my hope is for you to live, and really to live in a richer and fuller way. So if possible find a quiet place, a place where you can let your thoughts and words run uninterrupted, and then allow this thought to run through your mind right now... Imagine that you are reaching the end of your mortal life, and at this moment, some people who are significant to you are close by... there are things you wish to say to them... words, wisdom, advice that you can speak, or things you would like to do... imagine each persons face, and then the words you would say to them... imagine that right now, and perhaps even pause the podcast for a moment while you consider your final words to your loved ones. What advice would you give? How would you part with your spouse... with your children... with your mother and father... let yourself stay in this place for a moment, maybe even write down those things, because honestly, your thoughts here are likely to be valuable, so take a moment to pause, and imagine and ponder...

Thank you for considering and allowing yourself to try this. This reminds me of a simple assignment that I have given people over time, to get them to consider their life in a deeper manner, I ask them to write their own obituary... it's not my favorite assignment, but it's one that invites perspective, anyways... I have some final words for you. Of everything that I could possibly say, and I could say a lot... and yall know this... but I think my final words for you would be...

It's not too late... life has not passed you by... the final hour is not here for you, so find the love that is inside of you, and give it more freely to those around you... make amends to those you've harmed... use your smile, your words, and your touch to lift everyone within your reach... when people encounter you, let them leave better loved and better liked... spend more time outside looking up, instead of looking down... slow your life, think, contemplate, write, and express the uniqueness inside of you with the world... quit selling yourself short... stop being unkind to yourself, instead be loyal, be a voice of inspiration and encouragement to yourself and others... ALWAYS, always... do not utter an unkind word to yourself...Sing, sing out loud... pull yourself away from entertainment long enough to create... create anything... a poem... a picture... a thought... hug and kiss more often... express affection daily to those around you... run, ride, drive with your windows down, and let the wind touch your face and your hair, and let your hand be an airplane... do something scary... try something new... 100 new things... go find the ocean and swim in it for me... find a silent mountain, and sit with its grandeur for a moment... forgive others readily... they are just like you... full of blind spots and ignorance... carry humility with you, as you would carry a flag... laugh with children... listen to them, smile with them, speak confidence to them... show them a hopeful world... model courage... affection... compassion... kindness... laughter...and fun, lots of fun... smile at random people... wave hello to random people...

Listen to a symphony or a beautiful piano concerto with your eyes closed, savoring every note... noticing how the music hits your body... sit quietly more often... pray more honestly, and openly... seek and find God, or something grander than you are, and engage in it... connect with it, and become part of a spiritual tradition, practice or community that nourishes your mind, body, and spirit. Do what you can to place yourself in places that encourage love, compassion, redemption, and growth. We all need a cheer team, and a group that can lift and inspire us. Remember that your mistakes aren't as significant as you think they are. Your sincere efforts to find joy, peace, and happiness sometimes find us in some pretty unlikely roads, with actions and behaviors that we aren't the most proud of. Don't let yourself sink into the quicksand of hopelessness, and powerlessness... it's not true... that is not an accurate perspective, and certainly not effective or helpful. Stop contemplating and obsessing about your mistakes, errors, or shortcomings. Instead, summon your wisdom... call out to your courage... and rise time after time... everytime. For heaven's sake, drop the ego and the pride... why are you holding on to that hot coal... how many more times do you and I need to be burned by such silliness? Instead laugh at yourself... at your ignorance and foolishness, and begin today to walk in a more peaceful, and humble way. Make your walk in this life a peaceful one. Bring peace, goodwill, forbearance and friendship, instead of war, and criticism, and pettiness. Keep in mind that it is your vector, not your velocity that matters the very most.

Now go and see the world, live deeply, and suck out all the marrow of life like Thoreau suggested... and if you can't go to the four corners, see the world around you and be content, filled with gladness... find awe again.

Well my friends, thank you for being willing to take a chance on me, and joining me in this exercise. I'm reminded of the old Stoics who would spend much time contemplating death, in order to live more fully and purposefully. I hope you get the sense that I'm a fan of yours. That I believe in you and your ability to shift and change directions. To make small adjustments that can produce rich outcomes. Now go and live your best advice and wisdom. See you soon.